Network device validation and management

ABSTRACT

A second device seeking to access a network can be detected using a first device communicatively coupled to the network. Responsive to detecting the second device seeking to access the network, the first device can be caused to communicatively uncouple from the network and whether the second device poses a risk of corrupting the network&#39;s intended functioning if the second device accesses the network can be determined by the first device.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to the field of electronic devicenetworking, and more particularly, to the validation and management ofdevices.

A smart home network typifies an aggregation of disparate electronicdevices that when linked electronically can be accessed, controlled, andmonitored remotely and can operate autonomically. The devices that makeup a smart home network, for example, can be configured to provide thehome's inhabitants with an ability to remotely monitor and controlvarious built-in functions such as the home's lighting, temperature,security, door and window operations, and home entertainment system.Various “home automation” technologies can provide so-called“intelligent feedback” so that even conventional devices such as washingmachines, lamps, and the like can be endowed with an “intelligence” thatenables the devices to operate autonomically. A refrigerator, forexample, when communicatively coupled to a smart home system cancatalogue its contents, suggest menus, recommend healthy alternatives,and order replacements as the contents are used up.

Such systems easily extend to other structures such as office buildings,hotels, and the like. Each such system can be tailored to performspecific functions with different devices that can be remotely accessed,controlled, and monitored and that are able to operate autonomically.

SUMMARY

A method includes detecting, using a first device communicativelycoupled to a network, a second device seeking to access the network. Themethod also includes causing the first device to communicativelyuncouple from the network responsive to detecting the second deviceseeking to join the network. The method further includes determiningwith the first device, now uncoupled from the network, whether thesecond device poses a risk of corrupting intended functioning of thenetwork if the second device accesses the network.

A system includes a processor communicatively coupled to a first devicethat communicatively couples and uncouples from a network. The processorcan be programmed to initiate executable operations. The processorincludes a network device identifier that, while the first device iscommunicatively coupled to a network, detects when a second device seeksto access the network. The processor additionally includes a networkisolator that causes the first device to communicatively uncouple fromthe network responsive to detecting the second device seeking to jointhe network. The processor further includes a network deviceinterrogator that, using the first device now uncoupled from thenetwork, determines whether the second device poses a risk of corruptingthe network's intended functioning if the other device accesses thenetwork.

A computer program product includes a computer readable storage mediumhaving program code stored thereon. The program code is executable by adata processing system to initiate operations. The operations includeautomatically detecting, with a first device communicatively coupled toa network, a second device when the second device seeks to access thenetwork. The operations also include, responsive to automaticallydetecting the second device, causing the first device to communicativelyuncouple from the network. The operations additionally includeautomatically determining with the first device whether the seconddevice poses a risk of corrupting the network's intended functioning ifthe second device accesses the network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a network comprising a pluralityof devices.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for validating and managing thedevices such as those that constitute the network shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is signaling diagram illustrating operative features of thesystem shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of validating and managing devices.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another method of validating and managingdevices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to electronic device networking, and moreparticularly, to validating and managing devices that whencommunicatively coupled to one another in some fashion define a networksuch as a smart network

To efficiently manage various devices that comprise a network such as asmart home system, each of the various devices must connect to and shareinformation over a communication channel. More particularly, the devicesneed to gather and share information with other devices communicativelylinked together via an ad hoc network, or, depending on the features ofthe network, linked to a centralized network server.

Considerable efficiencies and convenience can be achieved bycommunicatively coupling various devices into a single network. This isespecially so if the devices are smart devices whose acquired“intelligence” allows the devices to be accessed, controlled, andmonitored remotely and/or operate autonomically. Among the advantagesprovided by such a network are enhanced productivity, automation ofrepetitive tasks, control of devices, and ease of access to varioussystem functions.

Notwithstanding these advantages, however, such a system can pose arisk—namely, that an electronic device newly introduced to the networkmay be infected with a virus or malware. The infection may occur beforeinstallation, but not be evident until the new device joins the network.If a device is infected by a virus or malware, it may well infect theentire network after it joins that network. An exemplary scenario is onein which a recently acquired device that is infected with a virus isconnected to a smart home, office, or hotel network. When made a memberof the smart device group domain, the new device can infect the otherdevices that are already communicatively coupled to the smart network.

In accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein, a devicecommunicatively coupled to other devices in a network can autonomicallydetermine whether a new device seeking to access the network poses arisk of corrupting the network and infecting other devices, and can makethe determination before network access is granted to the new device.The device, upon detecting the presence of the new device, cancommunicatively uncouple from the network so that it can perform adevice validation procedure in isolation from the rest of the network.Isolated from the network, the validating device can communicate withthe new device and perform diagnostic testing, but it can do so withoutexposing the rest of the network to possible corruption from a virus ormalware that might be introduced to the network if the new device weregranted access to the network.

More particularly, in a network such as a smart network comprisingmultiple devices, one of the devices (defining a first device) can beused to detect and identify a new device (defining a second device)seeking to access the network. Responsive to detecting and identifyingthe second device, the first device can communicatively uncouple fromthe network. With the first device isolated from the network, the firstdevice can communicate with the second device without exposing thenetwork to any virus or malware that might be introduced into thenetwork if the second device obtains access to the network. Diagnostictesting of the second device can be accomplished using a communicationchannel established between the first device the second device while thenetwork remains protectively isolated. The second device is grantedaccess to the network only if it is determined to pose no risk ofcorrupting the network.

In describing various inventive arrangements, the following definitionsapply throughout this disclosure.

As defined herein, “data processing system” means one or more hardwaresystems configured to process data, each hardware system including atleast one processor programmed to initiate executable operations andmemory.

As defined herein, “processor” means at least one hardware circuit(e.g., an integrated circuit) configured to carry out instructionscontained in program code. Examples of a processor include, for example,a central processing unit (CPU), an array processor, a vector processor,a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array(FPGA), a programmable logic array (PLA), an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic circuitry, and acontroller.

As defined herein, “computer readable storage medium” means a storagemedium that contains or stores program code for use by or in connectionwith an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. As definedherein, a “computer readable storage medium” is not a transitory,propagating signal per s.

As defined herein, “device” means any device that performs one or morefunctions and includes electronic circuitry configured to cause thedevice to perform the function or functions. Such devices includestandalone devices, such as a general-purpose computer, anapplication-specific computer, a laptop, a telephone or smartphone,thermostat, television, stereo and appliance (e.g., microwave oven,refrigerator, stove, dishwasher), as well as, one or more of thecomponents that collectively comprise a system such as a home theaterand entertainment system, security system (e.g., cameras, motionsensors, and alarm), premises lighting system, home or buildingirrigation system, HVAC system components, and the like.

As defined herein, “networked device” means a device linked to a networkvia electronic communications circuitry that enables the device tocommunicatively couple with other devices comprising a network. As sodefined, a networked device can include any device—for example, a phone,vehicle, home appliance, sensor, actuator, or other physicaldevice—having hardwired circuitry and/or software executing on aprocessor enabling the device to convey, receive, and/or exchange datawith other networked devices. Such a device can be communicativelylinked, for an example, via the Internet of Things (IoT). Networkeddevices can be communicatively coupled to form, for example, a smarthome network. Such devices include network infrastructure devices suchas routers, firewalls, switches, access points and the like.

As defined herein, “client device” means a networked device thatrequests shared services from a server. A client device can be anetworked device that predominately performs data processing internallyand with limited reliance on a server, such as accessing a network andexchanging data with another networked device. Conversely, a clientdevice can be a networked device that relies predominately on a server,which in the main performs data processing for the device (e.g., adevice using a web application). Additionally, a client device can beone that performs processes internally, while relying on a server forstoring processing data. Network infrastructure, such as routers,firewalls, switches, access points and the like, are not client devicesas the term “client device” is defined herein.

As defined herein, “smart device” means an electronic device that can beaccessed, controlled, and/or managed remotely and/or operateautonomically, and that also can connect to other devices or networksaccording to any of a variety of known protocols. These protocolsinclude, for example, wireless protocols such as Bluetooth, Near-FieldCommunication (NFC), Wi-Fi, LiFi, 3G, and other such communicationprotocols for transmitting and/or receiving data and/or indicatingposition among devices. In the specific context of a smart home network,protocols include, for example, the RF-based Z-wave signaling andcontrol communication protocol for home automation, the UniversalPowerline Bus (UPB) protocol, the X10 standard protocol, andhardware-layer protocol ZigBee for operating on IEEE 802.15.4 radios.

As defined herein, “network” means a plurality of devices and dataprocessing systems that communicate via one or more communication links.As defined, the network can be implemented as, or include, any of avariety of different communication networks, such as a wide area network(WAN), local area network (LAN), wireless network, mobile network,Virtual Private Network (VPN), the Internet, Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (PSTN), and the like.

As defined herein, a “communication link” means a digital or analog linkthat provides a communication channel for transmitting and/or receivingdigital or analog signals, and includes point-to-point links, broadcastlinks, multipoint links, and point-to-multipoint links that are providedby wired connections (twisted pair or coaxial cable), wirelesssignaling, and/or fiber optic cable.

As defined herein, “communicatively couple” and “communicativelycoupled” means, respectively, establishing a communications link andconnected via a communication link. Conversely, “communicativelyuncouple” means disengaging from or breaking off a communications link.

As defined herein, “access,” “accessing,” join,” and “joining” meanestablishing by any of several different mechanisms a communication linkto a network, including to a central server around which the network isconfigured, and/or to any combination of the individual network devicescommunicatively coupled to form an ad hoc network.

As defined herein, “responsive to” means responding or reacting to anaction or event. Thus, if a second action is performed “responsive to” afirst action, there is a causal relationship between an occurrence ofthe first action and an occurrence of the second action, and the term“responsive to” indicates such causal relationship.

As defined herein, “detecting” means using a first device coupled to anetwork such as a smart home network to scan (e.g., SNMP protocol) orotherwise recognize a signal (e.g., WiFi signal) indicating a seconddevice is positioned within a vicinity of the network such that it iscapable of communicatively coupling with the network.

As defined herein, “identifying” means obtaining with a first devicedata associated with the second device, the data indicating a specificfeature of the second device, such as the type of device, model,manufacturer, and functional capabilities.

As defined herein, “diagnostic testing” means a first device issuing acommand signal to a second device causing the device to perform a uniquefunction the second device is known to be capable of performing or ageneric function (e.g., turn on, turn off, operate for a designatedperiod of time before ceasing operation) and monitoring with the firstdevice the second device's performance of the function. For example, inthe context of a smart home network, a network camera (first device)signals a motion-detecting light sensor (second device) to turn on anddetects whether the sensor's light responds by turning on.

As defined herein, “automatically” means without user intervention.

As defined herein, “corrupting” means modifying or destroying thecapability of electronic circuitry within a device and/or software thatexecutes on a processor of the device such that the device does notfunction as intended by a legitimate user of the device.

As defined herein, “risk of corrupting” means creating a condition ornon-zero probability of corrupting a device. The condition can resultfrom communicatively coupling with another device infected with asoftware virus or malware.

As defined herein, “user” means a person (i.e., a human being).

As defined herein, the term “real-time” means a level of processingresponsiveness that a user or system senses as sufficiently immediatefor a particular process or determination to be made, or that enablesthe processor to keep up with some external process.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a network 120 comprising a plurality ofdevices 122-130 is shown. One or more of the devices 122-130 can be, forexample, client devices. Illustratively, the network 120 is a smart homenetwork and the devices are an Internet-enabled TV 122, a laptopcomputer 123, a “smart” home appliance (e.g., washer/dryer) 124, awireless router 125, another smart home appliance (e.g., home securitysystem) 126, a tablet PC 127, a network printer 128, a game console 129,and a network camera 130. In different arrangements, however, thenetwork 120 can include more or fewer devices. The devices 122-130,moreover, can be many different types besides the ones specificallymentioned. The devices comprising the network 120 can include varioustypes of devices, such as client devices and smart devices, as well asnetwork infrastructure devices such as routers and firewalls.

In various arrangements described herein the devices 122-130, regardlessof type, have inherent capabilities for communicatively coupling to anduncoupling from the network 120. Each of the devices 122-130 in FIG. 1illustratively includes smart-device circuitry 142, 143, 144, 145, 146,147, 148, 149, 150 that endows it with “intelligence” enabling it to beaccessed, monitored, and/or controlled remotely and/or operateautonomically. For example, a device communicatively coupled to thenetwork 120 can be a smart refrigerator that periodically inventoriesits contents and communicates a message via the network 120 to thelaptop computer 123 or tablet PC 127 notifying a user that refrigeratedsupplies need to be replenished, possibly even indicating which specificitems need to be purchased. The smart-device circuitry 142-150 can behardwired logic circuitry, a processor with corresponding code executingthereon, or a combination of both.

The devices 122-130 can be communicatively coupled to a server, forexample, through a router via a wireline connection or wirelessly via anaccess point of a network infrastructure device. In an alternativearrangement, however, the network 120 can be a decentralized, ad hocnetwork in which the devices 122-130 can be communicatively coupledwithout accessing a central server. An example is a hospital ad hocwireless network comprising sensors, remote-access monitors, and othermedical devices that are communicatively coupled wirelessly withoutusing a common server. Other examples of centralized and ad hoc networkswill be apparent in view of the explicit examples described herein.

Though not explicitly shown in FIG. 1, the network 120 can rely on oneor more different types of equipment to establish a physical layer, datalink layer, and network layer to provide network connectivity to thevarious devices 122-130. Such equipment includes, for example, anEthernet interface to a service provider's native telecommunicationsinfrastructure. (In a home network this is typically provided by a DSLmodem or cable modem.) A router can be used to manage network layerconnectivity by performing network address translation and therebyproviding the various devices 122-130 a shared address. The network 120can include a device with an integrated access point and/or an Ethernetswitch. An access point can be provided, for example, by a router with abuilt-in wireless access point, thereby enabling one or more of thedevices 122-130 to connect to the network wirelessly. A network switchcan allow the devices 122-130 to communicate via Ethernet. Certaindevices (e.g., IP cameras and IP phones) may require a non-standard portfeature such as Power over Ethernet (PoE). Additionally, an automationcontroller can provide low-power wireless connectivity tonon-data-intensive devices and systems such as lighting devices andsecurity systems.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 2, a network device validation andmanagement system 210 is shown. The system 210 includes a processor 220that communicatively couples to a first device. Any one of the devices122-130 shown in FIG. 1 can operate as the first device. The system 210does not communicate directly with the network 120 of FIG. 1. Rather,the system 210 communicates with the network 120 via the communicationchannel linking the processor 220 and the first device, the latter beingcapable of communicatively coupling and uncoupling from the network. Theprocessor 220 is programmed to initiate executable operations thateffect autonomic network device validation and management according tothe arrangements described herein.

The processor 220 includes a network device identifier 230. The networkdevice identifier 230, with the first device communicatively coupled tothe network 120, detects when a second device seeks to access thenetwork and identifies the device.

Additionally, the processor 220 includes a network isolator 240. Thenetwork isolator 240 causes the first device to communicatively uncouplefrom the network 120 responsive to detecting the second device seekingto join the network.

The processor 220 further includes a network device interrogator 250.The network device interrogator 250 determines whether the second deviceposes a risk of corrupting the network's intended functioning in theevent that the second device gains access to the network 120.

In one arrangement, the processor 220 optionally includes acommunication blocker 260. The communication blocker 260 prevents thesecond device from accessing the network if the network deviceinterrogator 250 determines that the second device presents a risk ofcorrupting the network's intended functioning. In another arrangement,the processor 220 optionally includes a network device admitter 270that, responsive to the network device interrogator 250 determining thatthe second device poses no risk, grants the second device access to thenetwork 120. In still another arrangement, the network deviceinterrogator 250 additionally performs diagnostic testing on the firstdevice, permitting it to communicatively recouple with the network 120only if the network device interrogator determines that the first deviceposes no risk to the network, notwithstanding its communication with thesecond device.

FIG. 3 illustrates specific operative features of the system 210 shownin FIG. 2 in the context of the network 120 shown in FIG. 1. The methodcan be performed in real-time. Initially, at 310, a first device 302 iscommunicatively coupled to the network 120. At 312, the network deviceidentifier 230 of the system 210 determines that a second device 304capable of communicating via either a wired or wireless connection isseeking to join the network 120.

More particularly, the first device 302, while communicatively coupledwith the network 120, detects the second device 304. The first device302 is also communicatively coupled to the processor 220 and can thusinform the system 210 of the second device's presence. Responsive to thedetected presence, the network device identifier 230 determines whetherthe second device 304 is seeking to join the network 120 and, if so,determines the identity of the device.

Responsive to the network device identifier 230 identifying the seconddevice 304 attempting to access the network 120, the network isolator240, at 314, causes the first device 302 to communicatively uncouplefrom the network 120. Because the system 210 does not communicatedirectly with the network 120, the system, as well as the first device302 to which it is communicatively coupled, is now isolated from thenetwork.

With the first device 302 (and thus the system 210) isolated from thenetwork 120, the network device interrogator 250, at 316, interrogatesthe second device 304 to determine whether the second device poses arisk of corrupting the network's intended functioning if it gains accessto the network. The network device interrogator 250 can determinewhether the second device 304 poses a risk of corrupting the network'sintended functioning by establishing a communications link with thesecond device 304 and performing diagnostic testing of the second deviceover the established communication channel.

Notwithstanding the establishment of a communication channel with thesecond device prior to a final determination of whether it poses a riskto the network 120, the network is protected from the introduction ofmalware or a virus from the second device 304. The network 120 isprotected once the network isolator 240 causes the first device 302 (andhence the system 210) to communicatively uncouple from the network. Itis this aspect that allows the system 210 to perform diagnostic testingof the second device 304 with the network device interrogator 250without exposing the network 120 or other networked devices to malwareor a virus carried by the second device. Although the first device 302communicatively coupled with the system's processor 220 may be at riskfrom communicating with the second device 304, the rest of the network120 remains protected so long as the first device is communicativelyuncoupled and isolated from the network.

To further protect the network 120 when there is communication with thesecond device 304, the network device interrogator 250 can additionallyestablish a protected zone. The protected zone isolates the network 120and any devices that remain communicatively coupled thereto, preventingthem from communicating with the second device 304 seeking to access thenetwork and enabling them to block extraneous signals that might ariseout of communications that are part of the diagnostic testing of thesecond device.

The network device interrogator 250 can perform diagnostic testing bysending one or more instructions via an established communicationchannel between the first device 302 and the second device 304. The oneor more instructions from the network device interrogator 250 can assignan activity or activities to the second device 304. The activities arepredetermined functions that the second device 304, whose type has beenidentified by the network device identifier 230, is known to beconfigured to perform. Thus, the diagnostic testing is accomplished byissuing at least one instruction to the second device 304 causing thesecond device 304 to perform at least one predetermined function;monitoring the second device's performance of the at least onepredetermined function using the first device 302; and assessing thesecond device's performance of the at least one predetermined function.Additionally, or in the event it is not known what specific functionsthe second device 304 is configured to perform, the activity assigned bythe first device 302 can be to perform a generic function such asturn-on and turn-off or operate for a designated length of time and thencease operating.

At 318, if the network device interrogator 250 has determined that thesecond device 304 poses a risk to the network, then the communicationblocker 260 responsive to that determination can prevent, at 320, thesecond device from joining the network 120. The communication blocker260 can do so by transmitting a message to each device communicativelycoupled to the network 120. The message can identify the second device304 and instruct the devices to avoid communicating with the seconddevice. Alternatively, if the network device interrogator 250 hasdetermined that the second device poses no risk to network 120, thennetwork device admitter 270 can grant the second device 304 access tothe network at 320. For example, if the network is a centralized networkin which devices are communicatively coupled via a common server, thenetwork device admitter 270 can register the second device 304 with theserver at 318. Otherwise, in a decentralized network, the network deviceadmitter 270 can transmit, at 318, a message to each devicecommunicatively coupled to the network identifying the second device 304and instructing the devices to establish a communication link with thesecond device as needed to carry out the functions of the devices.

In an illustrative scenario exemplifying the operative features of thesystem 210, the network 120 is a smart home network comprising devicesillustratively including Internet-enabled TV 122, laptop computer 123,smart home appliances 124, 126 (e.g., washer/dryer and home securitysystem), tablet PC 127, network printer 128, game console 129, andnetwork camera 130. Optionally, the network 120 one or more networkinfrastructure devices such as wireless router 125. During anenvironment and scope setup stage, the smart home network is set up andan inventory is made of each all devices communicatively coupled to thenetwork 120. When a new device is introduced to the network 120 it canbe scanned before being communicatively coupled to the network 120.

Any one of the devices 122-130 can operate as the first device when itis communicatively coupled to the processor 220 of the system 210. Inthe current scenario, the role of the first device is assumed by thenetwork camera 130. The newly introduced device takes the role of seconddevice, which in the present scenario is assumed to be a motion sensorthat a user wants to connect to the existing network. Operating throughthe first device (network camera 130), the network device identifier 230detects and identifies the second device (motion sensor), as describedabove. Responsive to the network device identifier 230 identifying thesecond device (motion sensor), the network isolator 240 causes the firstdevice (network camera 130)—and thus the system 210—to communicativelyuncouple from the network 120, as also described above. With the firstdevice (network camera 130) isolated from the network 120, a one-waycommunication channel is initially set up and an introductory phaseensues.

During this phase, the network device interrogator 250 interrogates andperforms diagnostic testing of the second device (motion sensor) bysending through the first device (network camera 130) a series ofcommands to perform certain activities (e.g., switch on, switch off,operate for a designated period of time and then cease operation) andobserving how the second device (motion sensor) performs the activitiesin response to the commands. If the observed performance of the seconddevice (motion sensor) is deemed adequate, then a two-way communicationchannel can be set up. Operating within the protected zone, describedabove, the diagnostic testing can be repeated with the system 210operating through one or more of the devices 122-130 via the newlyestablished second channel essentially as described in the context ofthe first, albeit with devices communicating within the protected zonethus ensuring that the network 120 remains protected.

Although the network device interrogator 250 can perform diagnostictesting acting solely through a single device (network camera 130), inan alternate arrangement, the system 210 may additionally operatethrough one or more other devices through which additional commands canbe sent. Accordingly, each of several devices can be isolated from thenetwork 120 by the system causing them to communicatively uncoupletherefrom. While isolated, each can perform diagnostic testing of thedevice seeking access to the network 120.

The system 210 can interact with, or through, the devices 122-130 inseveral different ways. For example, the “smart” circuitry 142-150 caninclude a processor capable of executing computer code. Therefore, inone arrangement, the system 210 can be implemented in computer code thatis executed utilizing a device's processor. Even once conventionaldevices such as home appliances (e.g., microwave oven, washer/dryer) aretoday manufactured as smart devices having at least limited dataprocessing capabilities, thus making a code-based implementation of thesystem 210 feasible. According to another arrangement, if the system 210is implemented as hardwired circuitry, the circuitry can be configuredfor integration with existing circuitry of one or more of the devices122-130.

While the system 210 can be implemented in and as an addition to anetworked device. It can also be implemented as a separate, standalonedevice that can communicatively couple to a network 120 and, responsiveto detecting a device seeking to access the network, decouple from thenetwork to perform diagnostic testing. For example, the system 210 canbe implemented in a network infrastructure device such as a router orfirewall. The system 210, responsive to detecting the device seeking toaccess the network 120, causes the network infrastructure device touncouple from the network 120. With the network infrastructure deviceuncoupled and isolated, the system 210 can cause it to establish acommunication channel with the device seeking to access the network 120.The system 201 can cause the now isolated network infrastructure deviceto perform diagnostic testing by issuing commands via the isolatedcommunication channel to the device seeking to access the network 120.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 400 forvalidating and managing devices communicatively linked to a network. Themethod 400 can be performed in real-time. The method 400 can beimplemented using a system 210 having a processor 220 thatcommunicatively couples to a device that itself communicatively couplesand uncouples from the network. The processor 220 is programmed toinitiate executable operations that isolate the device from the network120 and, using the device, determine whether a new device seeking toaccess the network poses a risk of corrupting the network with a virusor malware.

The method 400 specifically can include, at 410, using a first devicecommunicatively coupled to a network and detecting when a second deviceseeks access to the network. The method 400 also includes causing thefirst device to communicatively uncouple from the network, at 420,responsive to detecting that the second device is seeking to join thenetwork. The method 400 further includes determining with the firstdevice, at 430, whether the second device poses a risk of corrupting thenetwork's intended functioning if the second device accesses thenetwork.

The method 400 optionally can include establishing with the first devicea protected zone that isolates the network from communication with thesecond device. The method 400 optionally can include performing adiagnostic test with the first device while the first device isoperating within the protected zone. The diagnostic testing includesissuing at least one instruction to the second device thereby causingthe second device to perform at least one predetermined function andassessing the second device's performance of the at least onepredetermined function with the first device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a method 500 forvalidating and managing devices communicatively linked to a network 120.The method 500 can be implemented using a system 210 having a processor220 that communicatively couples to a device that itself communicativelycouples and uncouples from the network. The processor 220 is programmedto initiate executable operations that isolate the device from thenetwork and, with the device, determine whether a new device seeking toaccess the network poses a risk of corrupting the network with a virusor malware.

The method 500 specifically includes, at 510, using a first devicecommunicatively coupled to a network and detecting when a second deviceseeks to access the network, causing the first device to communicativelyuncouple from the network, at 520, responsive to detecting that thesecond device is seeking to join the network, and determining with thefirst device, at 530, whether the second device poses a risk ofcorrupting the network's intended functioning if the second deviceaccesses the network. At 540, the decision is made whether to establisha protected zone to protect the network depending on whether the seconddevice is determined to pose a risk or not. If the protected zone isestablished, testing can continue with one or more devices continuing totest the second device. If the device is determined not to pose a risk,the device is admitted to the network and can communicate with otherdevices communicatively linked thereto. Otherwise, the second device isblocked from communicating with the network and its devices.

While the disclosure concludes with claims defining novel features, itis believed that the various features described herein will be betterunderstood from a consideration of the description in conjunction withthe drawings. The process(es), machine(s), manufacture(s) and anyvariations thereof described within this disclosure are provided forpurposes of illustration. Any specific structural and functional detailsdescribed are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basisfor the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled inthe art to variously employ the features described in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases usedwithin this disclosure are not intended to be limiting, but rather toprovide an understandable description of the features described.

For purposes of simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shownin the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative toother elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate,reference numbers are repeated among the figures to indicatecorresponding, analogous, or like features.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer-readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer-readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart(s) and block diagram(s) in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart(s) or block diagram(s) may represent a module, segment, orportion of instructions, which comprises one or more executableinstructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In somealternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occurout of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,”“including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in thisdisclosure, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Reference throughout this disclosure to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “one arrangement,” “an arrangement,” “one aspect,” “anaspect,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure,or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment isincluded in at least one embodiment described within this disclosure.Thus, appearances of the phrases “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “onearrangement,” “an arrangement,” “one aspect,” “an aspect,” and similarlanguage throughout this disclosure may, but do not necessarily, allrefer to the same embodiment.

The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more thantwo. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a secondor more. The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected,whether directly without any intervening elements or indirectly with oneor more intervening elements, unless otherwise indicated. Two elementsalso can be coupled mechanically, electrically, or communicativelylinked through a communication channel, pathway, network, or system. Theterm “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and allpossible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Itwill also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms, as these terms are only used to distinguishone element from another unless stated otherwise or the contextindicates otherwise.

The term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in responseto determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context.Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated conditionor event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or“in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition orevent]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],”depending on the context.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: detecting, using afirst device communicatively coupled to a network, a second deviceseeking to access the network; and responsive to detecting the seconddevice seeking to access the network, causing the first device tocommunicatively uncouple from the network and determining, by the firstdevice, whether the second device poses a risk of corrupting intendedfunctioning of the network if the second device accesses the network. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing, by the firstdevice, a protected zone that isolates the network from the seconddevice.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising performing adiagnostic test with the first device operating within the protectedzone, the diagnostic test comprising: issuing at least one instructionto the second device causing the second device to perform at least onepredetermined function; monitoring, using the first device, the seconddevice's performance of the at least one predetermined function; andassessing data indicating performance by the second device of the atleast one predetermined function.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising blocking the second device seeking to join the network fromaccessing the network responsive to the first device determining thatthe second device presents a risk of corrupting the intended functioningof the network.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising using thefirst device to grant the second device access to the network responsiveto the first device determining that the second device does not presenta risk of corrupting the intended functioning of the network.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein granting the second device access to thenetwork comprises registering the second device with a network servercommunicatively coupled to the network.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising performing a diagnostic test on the first device todetermine whether the first device presents a risk of corrupting theintended functioning of the network if the first device communicativelyre-couples with the network after communicating with the second device.8. A system comprising: a processor programmed to initiate executableoperations including: detecting, using a first device communicativelycoupled to a network, a second device seeking to access the network; andresponsive to detecting the second device seeking to access the network,causing the first device to communicatively uncouple from the networkand determining, by the first device, whether the second device poses arisk of corrupting intended functioning of the network if the seconddevice accesses the network.
 9. The system of claim 8, the executableoperations further comprising establishing, by the first device, aprotected zone that isolates the network from the second device.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, the executable operations further comprisingperforming a diagnostic test with the first device operating within theprotected zone, the diagnostic test comprising: issuing at least oneinstruction to the second device causing the second device to perform atleast one predetermined function; monitoring, using the first device,the second device's performance of the at least one predeterminedfunction; and assessing data indicating performance by the second deviceof the at least one predetermined function.
 11. The system of claim 8,the executable operations further comprising blocking the second deviceseeking to join the network from accessing the network responsive to thefirst device determining that the second device presents a risk ofcorrupting the intended functioning of the network.
 12. The system ofclaim 8, the executable operations further comprising using the firstdevice to grant the second device access to the network responsive tothe first device determining that the second device does not present arisk of corrupting the intended functioning of the network.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein granting the second device access to thenetwork comprises registering the second device with a network servercommunicatively coupled to the network.
 14. The system of claim 8, theexecutable operations further comprising performing a diagnostic test onthe first device to determine whether the first device presents a riskof corrupting the intended functioning of the network if the firstdevice communicatively re-couples with the network after communicatingwith the second device.
 15. A computer program product, comprising: acomputer readable storage medium having program code stored thereon, theprogram code executable by a data processing system to initiateoperations including: detecting, using a first device communicativelycoupled to a network, a second device seeking to access the network; andresponsive to detecting the second device seeking to access the network,causing the first device to communicatively uncouple from the networkand determining, by the first device, whether the second device poses arisk of corrupting intended functioning of the network if the seconddevice accesses the network.
 16. The computer program product of claim15, the operations further comprising establishing, by the first device,a protected zone that isolates the network from the second device. 17.The computer program product of claim 16, the operations comprisingperforming a diagnostic test with the first device operating within theprotected zone, the diagnostic test comprising: issuing at least oneinstruction to the second device causing the second device to perform atleast one predetermined function; monitoring, using the first device,the second device's performance of the at least one predeterminedfunction; and assessing data indicating performance by the second deviceof the at least one predetermined function.
 18. The computer programproduct of claim 15, the operations further comprising blocking thesecond device seeking to join the network from accessing the networkresponsive to the first device determining that the second devicepresents a risk of corrupting the intended functioning of the network.19. The computer program product of claim 15, the operations furthercomprising using the first device to grant the second device access tothe network responsive to the first device determining that the seconddevice does not present a risk of corrupting the intended functioning ofthe network.
 20. The computer program product of claim 15, theoperations further comprising performing a diagnostic test on the firstdevice to determine whether the first device presents a risk ofcorrupting the intended functioning of the network if the first devicecommunicatively re-couples with the network after communicating with thesecond device.